Soum Couy

Overview

Though not a difficult (not even specially funny) climb, this limestone peak makes for one of the best places to overlook the Larra Karst. There you can find some of the deepest caves in Europe, as the Sima de la Piedra de San Martín, a tortured karstic terrain making for great walks and some peaks between 2300 and 2500 meters, with stunning views (specially if you are lucky enough to find a clear day such as we had).

Getting There

BY ROAD: Via Isaba (Navarra - Spain): For the spanish approach you will have to get to Arette-La Pierre St.Martin from Pamplona or Huesca, the biggest closer cities. Follow the road linking both of them (N-240) until the crossing of Venta Carrica. This is a crossing about (will check) sixty kilometers from Pamplona, where you can find a petrol station and the beginning of the road to Sigüés / Salvatierra de Esca / Roncal. Follow this road (NA-137) for thirty kilometers, until you get to Isaba. After Isaba keep going north (NA-1370) towards France (follow signposts "Francia"). It is a twentyfive kilometers drive, mainly on the valley floor at first and afterwards by the southern slopes of Lakora. You will find the small mountain restaurant of Juan Pito and the Belagua Mountain Hut, actually abandoned but created and administered for many years by the Club Deportivo Navarra. The ski resort is placed about two kilometers after the border.
Via Arette (France): Start from Biarritz, driving to St Jean-pied-de-port, Oloron Ste-Marie and Arette. From this last village you will have to drive up the col de la Pierre-St.Martin to reach the ski resort of Arette-La Pierre St.Martin

BY BUS: From the spanish side, the only chance to get somewhere near Soum Couy is via the buses of "La Tafallesa", starting at Pamplona and leading you to Uztarroz (in the Roncal valley). It's either that or joining an organized winter day trip to the ski resort of Arette (almost any travel agent in Pamplona might inform you about this kind of trip).

BY PLANE: The closest airports are those placed at Pamplona (Spain) and Biarritz (France)

Red Tape

No need for permits

When To Climb

Any moment of the year. Winter would require adequate equipment for security reasons

Camping

Cabane du Pescamou, under the east face of the small pic d'Arlas. There is also a guarded hut (Réfuge de Laberouat) under the east side of Soum Couy, on the trail from Lescun to the Col des Anies.

External Links

• Summitpost page of the Pic d'Anie
  Another beautiful climb in the same area, in case you come down from Soum Couy willing to try something else.
  
• La Pierre Saint Martin Ski resort
  Placed just below Soum Couy. Web page offers webcam and other infos on how to get there, apart from skiing info. English, french and spanish versions available.
  
• Refuge de Laberouat
  Official web page of the Labérouat Mountain Hut. French language only, haven't been able to find an english version. Sorry...

Images

View Soum Couy Image Gallery - 24 Images